Small businesses plug into e-commerce

Small and medium size businesses are just beginning taking advantage of the massive growth in e-commerce, according to the Office of National Statistics. Its latest figures for 2004 show that the value of sales over the Internet have almost doubled, rising 81 per cent to ?71.1bn over the previous year. ...more

Microsoft files 26 software piracy suits

Microsoft has filed some 26 suits across seven US states against alleged software pirates. As part of its Genuine Software Initiative, Microsoft has pursued a number of fronts to counter the counterfeiters. When it comes to lawsuits, the aim is to ensure a level playing field for its reseller channel who have to compete against cheap knock-offs. ...more

LaCie announces new mobile hard drives

LaCie has unveiled that latest addition to its range of hard drives designed by FA Porsche. The Mobile Hard Drive is available with 20GB, 40GB or 80GB of storage with either a FireWire/iLink or Hi-Speed USB 2 connection. No external power supply is required (and none supplied) as the drives are bus-powered. ...more

Russian security company claims new flaw in Windows XP SP 2

A Russian security company claims it has discovered a security hole in Windows XP Service Pack 2. Service Pack two was issued to cover up a multitude of security sins and added new features such as an improved firewall and a technology called Data Execution Protection (DEP). This latter checks code being fed from data pages into the system. ...more

Apple to stop selling CRT displays

Apple has decided to end production of the 17in Studio Display. In a move as significant as the demise of the floppy disk drive from Macs in 1998, sources have revealed that Apple will switch to exclusively offering LCD flat-panel monitors. Reliable sources report the company has decided to no longer make monitors based on CRT (cathode ray tube) technology and will sell only flat-panel displays from now on. ...more